Wednesday, March 30, 2011

We've almost arrived! Many of you reached your destination last week, and some of you have experienced some unexpected delays. But we've all gotten closer, haven't we? What have you learned along the way?

Before I started writing novels, I wrote music. My best compositions emerged during the period when I was performing every day in a tea house. Playing for several hours each day both improved my skills and inspired greater creativity. The same is true with writing words.

One of the most important bits of writing advice I've been given: Write everyday!

What about you? What is your best writing advice?

I've enjoyed getting acquainted with all of you through your comments this month. I hope you will still stop in here on Wednesdays and let me know how you're doing. Starting next month I'll be back to posting author interviews and giving away books, but mostly I just muse on the writing process.

Congratulations everyone and thanks for sharing your journey! See you tomorrow at Shari's.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Despite the challenges and obstacles, we've arrived at day 23. Congratulations! Spring has sprung, daffodils are blooming, snow will eventually stop falling, and we are pushing forward. Yay for us!

Spring is my favorite season. Can you tell? Watching my beloved lilac, lilies, and dahlias come back to life and bloom brings me tremendous joy. At the same time, I realize that much work awaits me in the garden.

Growing flowers reminds me so much of writing novels. Ideas can blossom into spectacular stories, but in order to thrive they must have an abundance of sunlight, the right food, regular water, and sometimes, painful pruning. First drafts must be properly nurtured to become the bright, fragrant, amazing books that we envision them to be. That takes loads of time, effort, and energy, doesn't it?

My hope is that everyone's hard work this month will flourish and keep growing into something breathtaking and stunning.

What do you love about this time of year? Do you feel the excitement?

I hope you all enjoy a delightful day. See you over at Shari's tomorrow!

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

At the time, my mind went blank. Why do I write? I don't know, 'cause it's fun? Seemed like too shallow of an answer to put out there in the twitterverse, so I just amused myself by reading everyone else's comments.

But the question stuck with me, and as much as I'd like to come up with one of those deep, insightful answers, the reality is that I write for fun. Sometimes it's not fun, sometimes it's painful, but even then, I still enjoy the challenge.

Yesterday I recaptured the joy of the first draft. Halfway into my YA historical, I arrived at a moment where a dozen roads opened in front of me. I felt like the proverbial kid in the candy store. Which do I choose? Which way will be the most exciting? Fully immersed, I watched in amazement as the story unfolded in front of my eyes and poured through my fingers. What fun!

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Welcome to Wednesday! I'm impressed and heartened that we're still here, working together, pushing forward despite the obstacles. Hooray for us!

Last month, while working under a challenging deadline, I had a day where I felt like I just couldn't push through. DH knew I was struggling and emailed me this:

It made me laugh and actually got me working again. I finished the project March 1st, the same day I arrived home after six weeks away. The same day March Madness began. Knowing I had a lot of catching up to do, I set what I thought was a reasonable, attainable writing goal for the month.

March Madness is truly living up to its name. I'm fighting like mad to get back into a peaceful writing routine, but life keeps spinning me around in crazy circles. Yesterday I wrote in the car on the way to Seattle. Today I'll write in the car on the way back home. And don't worry, I'm not the driver!

Determination and discipline have kept me going this month despite sickness, exhaustion, and the million other things that have demanded my attention. I'm thrilled that I've been able to write 500 words each day. It may not seem like much, but it translates into 10,000 words for the month, which is my March Madness goal. Thanks, all of you, for keeping me motivated! Don't forget to check in over at Shari's blog tomorrow: http://sharigreen.wordpress.com/blog

So what's your bottle of glue? What keeps you writing through the tough times?

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

I am so encouraged by all of the participation and excitement that's been generated for this challenge. I began the month by arriving home after six weeks away and am I ever ready to jump back into my writing routine.

Despite coming home with the stomach flu, I was somehow able to reach my writing goal yesterday. How about you? What challenges have you had to overcome early on? Sure seems like there's a lot of sickness out there.

Looking forward to hearing from all of you. Have a fabulous day and don't forget to check in with Shari Green tomorrow!